For many of us, being read to as a child or reading a little before “lights out” was a familiar bedtime ritual. In homes today, television, computers, and video games have all but replaced this reading event. How much a child reads is the best indicator of how well that child reads—the best readers read a lot. Children who don't like to read simply haven't found the right book yet!

Children who have been read to regularly and who have time each day to read books will become readers. Readers are not just people who CAN read—readers are people who DO read! In years gone by, the Self-Selected Reading Block was usually done at home! For most children, this is no longer true. Our Self-Selected Reading Block ensures that all children experience daily read-alouds and time for reading books of their choice and on their own level.

Historically called individualized reading or personalized reading (Veatch, 1959), Self-Selected Reading time is now often labeled Reader's Workshop (Routman, 1995). Regardless of what it is called, Self-Selected Reading is that part of a balanced literacy program during which children get to choose what they want to read and to what parts of their reading they want to respond. Opportunities are provided for children to share and respond to what is read. Teachers hold individual conferences with children about their books.

You can find more information about the Self Selected Reading Block in: